Learn the ABCs of Safe Sleep for Infants

October is Sudden Infant Dealth Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month

About 3,500 infants die unexpectedly each year in the United States during sleep time, mostly from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related causes, like suffocation.

SIDS is a sudden, unexpected infant death with no known cause, even after a full investigation, of a baby between one month and one year of age. It is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year old. Most SIDS deaths happen between the age of one and four months.

Other sleep-related causes of infant death include suffocation, entrapment and strangulation.

Between 1994 and 2014, the U.S. SIDS rate dropped more than 60 percent, but the rate of infant deaths from other sleep-related causes has increased.

October is SIDS Awareness Month, and while there is no sure way to prevent SIDS, parents and caregivers can help reduce the risks of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death.

To help reduce the risk of these unexpected deaths, learn the ABCs of safe sleeping.

“A” is for Alone: Always let the baby sleep alone – never in a bed with another person. Have your baby share your room, but not your bed. Room sharing is much safer than bed sharing and may decrease the risk of SIDS by 50 percent.

“B” is for Back: Always place an infant on his or her back, not on his or her side or stomach. Babies’ anatomy and gag reflect prevents them from choking on spit up, and babies who sleep on their backs are much less likely to dies of SIDS than babies who sleep on their sides or stomachs.

“C” is for Crib: Always place an infant to sleep in a crib with only a firm mattress and tight-fitting sheet. Never place a baby to sleep on a pillow, quilt or other soft surface and keep loose objects, soft toys and bedding out of the sleep area. Don’t use pillows, blankets or crib bumpers, and keep all items away from a baby’s face. If you’re worried about your baby getting cold, dress him or her in sleep clothing like a wearable blanket.

Make sure all caretakers, including babysitters and grandparents, know these safety tips.

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For more information, contact Amanda Moseley at the Talbot County Health Department at 410-819-5634 or visit www.cdc.gov/sids/Parents-Caregivers.htm.